Lot 3035
Sicily, Syracuse. Pyrrhos, 278-276 BC. AE 23. Head left of Herakles wearing lion's skin. Reverse: Athena Promachos advancing right brandishing thunderbolt. Calciati II, p. 321, 176; SNG ANS 852; BMC 503; Gabrici 347. Even brown patina. About Extremely Fine.
Athena "Promachos" was Athena the "defender," most probably alluding to the defense of the city.
The bulk of the coinage under Pyrrhos, King of Epirus, was struck in Magna Graecia, comprising some of the most beautiful coins of the Greek world. In order to assist Taras (Tarentum) against the Romans, he and his general Milo accompanied a detachment of over 20,000 soldiers, along with cavalry troops and even elephants. It was these immense animals which altered the tide of the war in favor of Pyrrhos, but at such a cost that we now have the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" well ensconced in our vocabulary.
Estimated Value $450 - 550.
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| Realized $345 |
